A Researcher's Perspective on Current Events

September 10, 2009

Rules Are Made To Be Broken (by Me, Not by You)

According to a recent study we conducted for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, majorities of U.S. adults support laws that ban the use of cell phones or text messaging while driving. Almost 3 in 4 adults who support at least one aspect of the ban believe these laws should apply to all drivers, but about 1 in 4 think certain drivers should be singled out, for example teenagers, taxi drivers or bus drivers. So, I dedicate this post to the substantial minority above who think these laws shouldn’t apply to them:

Most drivers who have cell phones – not solely the teenager-y or chauffeur-y ones – choose to ignore the advice of safety experts and talk on their cell phones anyway while driving (72%, according to this summer’s Harris Poll).

The use of cell phones (or at least the perception of use) is on the rise. Most American drivers say they observe it more now than one year ago, and about 3 in 4 say they often or always notice drivers using cell phones when they are on the road.